Pride Prejudice and Perplexity

An Unexpected Cousin

Chapter Two – An Unexpected Cousin

Elizabeth was fortunate in that an opportunity of speaking with Mr Darcy very soon presented itself, for Jane was invited to take tea at Netherfield, and Bingley had requested that Elizabeth should come as her companion.

“I do not see why the invitation could not have included myself, and all of your sisters,” exclaimed Mrs Bennet. “I am most eager to make a thorough inspection of Netherfield House and examine all the rooms over which you shall very soon preside, my dear, fortunate, Jane.”

“I am certain that Bingley meant no offence, Mamma, and must greatly regret his present inability to invite us all,” explained Jane, “but without ladies in the house, it would be exceedingly difficult for him to entertain a large party. At present, there is only Bingley and his friend, Mr Darcy, at Netherfield.”

“Good heavens! Mr Darcy! I had quite forgotten that the blackguard would there! I would not wish, for all the world, to be in the same house as that disreputable man, who has been the means of ruining my poor Lydia! Lizzy, I think it most unwise of you to go – as an unmarried lady you must consider your reputation – I fear that you risk compromising it, simply by being in the company of such a scoundrel. He is the worst kind of rake! I shall not trust him with any of my daughters – Lizzy, you may not go!”

“Mamma,” exclaimed Elizabeth, struggling to suppress her laughter, “I believe I am quite capable of taking tea at Netherfield without succumbing to Mr Darcy's seductions; and since Mr Bingley and Jane shall be there, also, there can be no cause for suspicion regarding my good character.”

“Lizzy shall be in no danger, I am quite certain of it, Mamma,” entreated Jane. “And it might be seen as improper for me to go alone – and indeed I should not like to do so. I am certain it must be the very reason why Bingley thought to invite my sister to accompany me.”

Elizabeth suspected – or at least hoped – that it was Mr Darcy who was responsible for her being invited – and possibly for the entire scheme. For without ladies in the house, Mr Bingley would have some difficulty with the arrangements.

~~~~~

Mr Bingley sent his carriage to bring the sisters to Netherfield; and as they were travelling, Elizabeth asked Jane if she had received any letter of congratulations from Caroline Bingley.

Jane shook her head. “No, and neither has Bingley. I fear that she does not look favourably upon the match.”

“And very likely counselled her brother, in the most forthright terms, on the great evil he was doing to their family's reputation by marrying you,” replied Elizabeth wryly.

“Yes, although Bingley has not been explicit, I have gained that impression. I do so dislike being the means of causing estrangement between brother and sister.”

“Do not blame yourself, Jane! And I am quite certain that the breach will soon be healed – for I had the impression, from something Miss Bingley said while I was staying at Netherfield last year, during your illness, that she very often exceeds her allowance and is obliged to apply to her brother for assistance. Caroline is far too shrewd to do anything that might cause her to forfeit so valuable a resource. I am certain that she will very soon arrive at Netherfield – if she is not already there – and will declare herself delighted to have you as a sister, and shower you with as much insincere affection as ever she did.”

Jane smiled, but made no reply, for they had entered the grounds of Netherfield Park and were approaching the front of the house, where stood its master, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

After greeting them both with warmth and sincerity, he said, “I must apologise for the absence of ladies. I had hoped my sister, Caroline, would have arrived by now. I expect her any day, for she has agreed to keep house for me, and preside over my table... until I am married, of course,” he added, smiling affectionately at Jane. Then, offering an arm to each lady, he led them inside and conducted them to an elegant sitting room where a table was laid out for tea.

Mr Darcy closed the book he had been reading, and rising from the sofa, bowed to the ladies, and greeted them with some warmth. Elizabeth observed a measure of embarrassment in his manner, which, though he struggled, he did not entirely succeed in overcoming. Elizabeth asked after his sister, and he spoke fondly of her, recounting some part of a letter of hers that he had but recently received.

When the tea was finished, Mr Bingley expressed a desire to take a turn in the park, and they were soon strolling in the muted sunshine of a lovely autumn afternoon. Mr Bingley and Jane walked arm in arm, followed by Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. Upon entering the woods, which were colourfully dressed in their autumn livery, the narrowness of the leaf-strewn path obliged the latter couple to walk more closely together, one beside the other. After some minutes, Mr Darcy asked Mr Bingley a question concerning one of his dogs, and when he turned to reply, Elizabeth observed Mr Darcy giving his friend a significant glance, after which Mr Bingley increased his pace, and very soon he and Jane were some distance ahead of them, eventually turning into a side path, and disappearing from view entirely.

Elizabeth was now certain that the invitation for tea was all Mr Darcy's doing; and the walk in the park, with the two couples very soon separating, a device designed to provide the opportunity of a private conversation with herself. “Is he planning to renew his addresses?” wondered Elizabeth, attempting to conceal her high state of excitement as they walked on in silence for some time. It was evident that her companion was composing himself to address her.

“I am aware, Miss Bennet, of a rather fanciful story circulating hereabouts, which portrays me in a less than favourable light,” he eventually said, his eyes fixed firmly on the path before them.

“I imagine that a person of some importance, such as yourself, whose elevated rank must inevitably attract to his daily doings the curiosity and scrutiny of those less blessed, may very often be the subject of gossip and speculation. I dare say it is a commonplace enough occurrence, to which you must be quite inured,” replied Elizabeth with a wry smile.

“Indeed I am; I endeavour to attend only to the correctness of my own behaviour. As to what others will think and say of me, is for them to determine. However, I hope that those who know me well, will not judge me falsely,” he said, looking entreatingly at Elizabeth, who looked away. “I hope that you, Miss Bennet, do not give credence to these mischievous reports.”

“I most sincerely wish not to, Mr Darcy. But I find myself in want of assistance. Perhaps you can oblige me?”

“How so?”

“By revealing what you know of my sister, Lydia – which, I suspect, is a great deal. Do you deny it?”

Mr Darcy was silent for some time as they walked on. Then, with a sigh, he said, “Regrettably, I am not at liberty to make any disclosure regarding your younger sister.”

Elizabeth was surprised at his answer – and more than a little displeased. She had comprehended that he wished to make himself agreeable and pleasing to her. Why was he suddenly so secretive?

“There is, however, something that I am able to say on the subject of your younger sister; and, indeed, I have wished to say it for some time. Miss Bennet, I believe myself to be in some way responsible for the unhappy fate that has befallen her.”

“Indeed?”

“You will, perhaps, recall the details in the letter I handed you in Kent concerning my sister, Georgiana, and Mr Wickham. Had I chosen to make Wickham's character known to the world, no young lady could ever again have been deceived by him.”

“I imagine that your concern for your sister's reputation, and the possibility that Mr Wickham might attempt to damage it – either in fabricating his own defence, or simply out of revenge – must have acted as a strong deterrent. Do not blame yourself, Mr Darcy, I am equally guilty; for I knew what he was when I returned from Kent, and yet it never occurred to me that my sister might be in any danger, and should be warned.”

Mr Darcy bowed his head. “You are kinder to me, than I am to myself, in this matter.”

“Yes, in that matter of the past, perhaps I am; but regrettably for you, it makes me no less curious concerning the present,” said Elizabeth with a smile, returning the conversation to the subject of Lydia's current circumstances. “It was you, was it not, who informed Mr Bingley that my sister had left London and is presently secluded in the country?”

Mr Darcy sighed and shook his head. “Yes, yes, I admit to telling him as much – though I knew I should not, for it was a clear breach of trust – however the circumstances demanded it.”

“The circumstances? What circumstances?” asked Elizabeth, bewildered. She had stopped walking and they now stood facing each other.

“His happiness.”

“Mr Bingley's happiness?”

“Yes! Before he paid his addresses to your sister, my friend wrote to his own sister, Miss Bingley, informing her of his intention. He very soon afterwards received an express from her importuning him, in the very strongest terms, not to proceed. She depicted the shameful actions of your younger sister in the most damning language, and prognosticated darkly on her certain descent into a life of the utmost degradation and disgrace – an odious fate, the shame of which must inevitably attach itself to all her near relations.

“Aware that her brother's regard for your sister was, in all likelihood, greater than his concern for social propriety, Miss Bingley begged him to consider her honour, and the material damage to her own marriage prospects which must follow, should he pursue his suit, and the prophesied evil consequences regarding your sister should come to pass, and become known to the world.

“Bingley begged me to advise him on how he must proceed, torn as he was between love for your sister and a sense of duty to his own. Knowing as I did, that the great catastrophe presaged by Miss Bingley had been averted, and that her own marriage prospects were in no great material danger, I concluded that to withhold the information from my friend would be a greater wrong than breaching, in a small way, an undertaking that I had given to another.”

Elizabeth smiled as she considered that a twelvemonth ago, Mr Darcy would very likely have acted quite differently. It was pleasing to see him behave in a less rigid and more compassionate manner. She wondered if also, he was moved by a desire to make amends for his former actions in separating Mr Bingley and Jane. “I can find no fault, sir, in your judgement or your behaviour. On the contrary, I believe you acted honourably.”

Mr Darcy bowed his head in appreciation of her warm approbation and smiled. “Unfortunately, honour demands that I say nothing further on the subject of your younger sister. Only that I hope, most sincerely, that all your concerns and questions on that head may soon be satisfied.”

“Oh!” said Elizabeth, unable to conceal her disappointment.

“Miss Bennet,” he said, looking at her earnestly, “I think it best that until then I postpone...”

But he paused in what he was about to say. Elizabeth blushed; for it seemed that his very next words might very well have been my suit. But were they – or was it all just her own hopes and imagination?

“What I mean to say is that whilst this story concerning myself, which is presently in circulation hereabouts, carries favour, it may be best – for everyone – if I absent myself from the neighbourhood.”

“Oh, do you intend to leave?” Then attempting to hide her disappointment, Elizabeth quickly added, “But will you leave Mr Bingley all alone to face the demands of the pre-nuptial social round without your support?”

“When he is in the company of your sister, which I anticipate he will very often be, in the coming weeks – he hardly notices me,” said Mr Darcy smiling. “I will, of course, return for the wedding week, and it will be my great pleasure to stand up with Bingley in church.”

~~~~~

Although she had not succeeded in learning anything further concerning Lydia, Elizabeth was more convinced than ever that, whatever was the nature of Mr Darcy's involvement with her sister, that it was honourable. As they returned to Longbourn, she was lost in conjecture as to what were his feelings for herself.

“Lizzy,” said Jane, interrupting her contemplation, “you have been very sly and reserved with me.”

“Why ever do you say so?”

“Bingley has just now been telling me of his visiting you in Lambton – and the great pleasure it gave him.”

“Oh!”

“You told me almost nothing of what passed at Lambton and Pemberley.”

“I am sorry I kept it secret from you, but I believed it to be for the best. I did not wish to mention Mr Bingley's name at that time – for despite your denials, I felt certain that you continued to lament the apparent withdrawal of his affections; and there was no suggestion at the time that a renewal might be in the offing.”

“Yes, I understand; you acted from kindness and compassion. However, sisterly love and consideration can have in no way prevented you from mentioning Mr Darcy wishing to introduce his sister to you,” she said teasingly.

Elizabeth blushed. “But I could hardly mention Mr Darcy's visit with his sister to Lambton without also making mention of Mr Bingley, who accompanied them. And had I spoken of my aunt and myself calling the following day upon Miss Darcy at Pemberley, you would certainly have questioned me as to the company, and upon learning of the presence of Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, would most certainly have asked about their brother.”

“Again, you are quite correct.” Jane smiled shrewdly at her sister, then added, “Lizzy, if you do not wish to confide in me on so marked an attention from Mr Darcy – which is all the more surprising and unexpected, after the forthright manner in which you refused his suit in Kent – then I shall not attempt to force your confidences in the matter.”

“Whatever were his feelings and intentions when I encountered Mr Darcy in Derbyshire, the subsequent news of Lydia's shame and disgrace – concerning which, I suspect he knows far more than ourselves – must have given him serious cause to question the desirability of connecting the name of Darcy with that of Bennet.”

“Do you really believe it? Are you quite certain? The unfortunate events attached to our younger sister have had no such effect upon Bingley; and I have detected not the least disapprobation of our betrothal from his friend – in fact, quite the opposite.”

“I suspect that Mr Darcy's sense of propriety and family honour is far more exacting than that of his friend. And then there is the pride of his relations to consider, such as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whom he would not wish to offend.”

“Lizzy, I have been considering it, and I have concluded that Bingley's invitation for you to join me today, may well have originated with Mr Darcy; for it struck me when we set out to walk in the park after tea, that Bingley separated us from yourself and Mr Darcy quite deliberately, and that it was all contrived by Mr Darcy, whose object can only have been the opportunity of a private conversation with you.”

“Yes, I agree, it did indeed seem deliberate; and I believe you are quite correct in guessing that Mr Darcy's intention was to speak with me privately.”

“But to what purpose? Surely he cannot have wished to pay you his addresses a second time – and if he did, I earnestly hope that you were far kinder in your manner of refusal than was the case in Kent.”

It amused Elizabeth to think how certain her sister was that she would refuse another offer of marriage from Mr Darcy. “I can set your mind to rest, dear Jane. Mr Darcy made no renewal of his offers.”

“Then what can have been his object in wishing for a private conversation?”

“To speak of the stories in circulation concerning himself and Lydia.”

“Good God! I should have thought that he would wish to avoid any mention of such a subject. What could he mean by introducing it? Were you able to learn anything further of our sister's fate?”

“His intention was to convince me that the stories are false.”

“What had he to say in his defence? Did he deny all connection with our sister?”

Elizabeth sighed. “He said very little; and nothing in the least way explicit – neither in his defence, nor with regard to Lydia. Yet he would have me believe that the stories are entirely without truth.”

“But why was he not explicit – why did he not defend himself energetically?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “He claims not to be at liberty to provide any further information regarding Lydia.”

“Perhaps it is just as I conjectured some days ago – that he had no personal involvement in our sister's affairs. We do not know for certain that your surmise, that the intelligence provided to Bingley came from Mr Darcy, is even correct; for Bingley wished not to speak further on the subject.”

“That much, at least, we now know; for Mr Darcy admitted to being his friend's source.”

Jane considered this new information before speaking again. “However, even if the intelligence did come from Mr Darcy, it does not necessarily follow that he was the person responsible for removing Lydia from London and installing her in the countryside.”

“True – although I suspect that it was Mr Darcy. He told me that he blames himself for not making Wickham's character known to the world, so that no young lady could again be deceived by him. However, assuming that Mr Darcy was that person, it is nothing more than speculation and gossip that convicts him of improper behaviour in the matter. Oh! It is all so perplexing! I no longer know what to think. And now he departs from Hertfordshire, so there will be no immediate opportunity of learning any more of the matter.”

“Is Mr Darcy to leave Netherfield? He cannot yet have informed Bingley, for he has not the least suspicion of his friend's intentions. Bingley will be hurt, I think, that Mr Darcy would leave him just at this moment, when he would wish for his support with the multitude of invitations about the neighbourhood, and the many social engagements which will very likely continue until the wedding day.”

“Mr Darcy assured me that when he is in Mr Bingley's company, together with yourself, that his friend hardly notices him.”

Jane smiled at the compliment. “Nevertheless, he will most certainly be missed.”

“Do you not see, Jane, that given the stories in circulation in the neighbourhood, it would be most difficult for Mr Darcy to engage in local society? It would be most awkward – not only for himself, but for Mr Bingley also. Good heavens, imagine how it would be with Mamma if Mr Darcy were to accompany his friend to Longbourn? Or even if she were to encounter him at Netherfield, or elsewhere? I cannot contemplate it without being greatly relieved that he takes himself out of the way.”

“Yes, I see what you mean. But surely Mr Darcy intends to return for the wedding and to stand up with Bingley.”

“He assured me that he would.”

“At least Bingley will not be entirely without the company of another gentleman.”

“How so?” asked Elizabeth with surprise.

“A cousin of his, a Captain Robert Radford, is soon to join him at Netherfield. I am most eager to meet him and make his acquaintance – as is Bingley.”

“Whatever can you mean?”

“Bingley and his cousin do not know each other; they have never met.”

“How extraordinary; how came it to be?”

“It is indeed extraordinary, for Captain Radford is Bingley's only cousin.”

“Do you know anything of the cousin's history?” enquired Elizabeth.

“Yes, and it is a most peculiar one. Bingley's mother had a younger sister, who fell in love with a young midshipman by the name of Graham Radford. Her family were no better than his – and likewise in trade; however, they had become wealthy and were determined that their youngest daughter, like her sister before her, should marry well, and a lowly midshipman was entirely beyond consideration. Apprehending that her father would never give his consent, of which she was in need, for she was not yet one and twenty, the sister eloped with her sailor and was consequently cut off without a penny.

“All contact with their daughter was lost. However, some years later, they heard a report from a traveller that their daughter had borne a son, and then died in childbirth some years afterwards. Though they sincerely regretted having broken with their daughter, the parents attributed her untimely death to the neglect of her husband, and determined to have nothing to do with either him or his son.”

“How very sad! Did Mr Bingley's mother never attempt to make contact with her sister's son?”

Jane shook her head. “Bingley's parents were both from families which had made a great deal of money in trade. They wished to establish themselves in society and raise their children accordingly, and therefore determined to avoid all those connections whose situation in life was beneath their own, and might thereby drag them down. Bingley's mother never told her children that her dead sister had borne a child and that they had a cousin in the world.”

“So then, how came Mr Bingley to be in contact with the cousin?”

“The cousin, it seems, had followed his father into the navy at an early age, and whether by great ability, or good fortune, or both, eventually rose through the ranks to attain a captaincy. Having returned to England some weeks ago, he saw in the Times our wedding announcement and recognised the name Charles Bingley, as being that of his cousin; for although they would have nothing to do with him, his father had followed the fortunes of his deceased wife's family. Captain Radford wrote to Bingley to seek confirmation that he was indeed his cousin and offered his congratulations on his engagement. Having no other living relatives, but his sisters, Bingley was delighted, and immediately replied, confirming their relationship, and inviting his cousin to Netherfield.”

“I sincerely hope that this Captain Radford is an amiable man and that Mr Bingley will enjoy his company,” said Elizabeth.

“Yes, I too; although I can think of no reason why we should find him otherwise. I am sure he will be a charming addition to our society.”

“Oh, Jane, you always think the best of everyone – even before you have made their acquaintance.”

“But not without reason – for surely his wish to know his cousin, and writing to him when his own family had been cut by Bingley's, shows him in a good light.”

“Yes, I concede you have reason.”

“Caroline, however, is not at all pleased at the prospect of a family reunion with a cousin whom she deems to be far beneath them. When Bingley informed her of their newly discovered relative, and of his invitation to Captain Radford to visit Netherfield, she wrote him an angry letter, which greatly discomposed him.

“Following the announcement of our engagement, Caroline had reluctantly agreed to return to Netherfield to keep house for Bingley until the wedding; for, as you might imagine, without a lady to preside over the house, he would have had great difficulty managing the dinners and all the other hospitalities required of him. Even before the news of Captain Radford, she seemed greatly put out at her brother's request of assistance. Although Bingley has not spoken on the subject, I am more convinced than ever that his sisters are most unhappy with his choice of wife.”

Elizabeth sighed. She did not wish to reveal all of what Mr Darcy had said on the manner in which Caroline Bingley had reacted to her brother's news of his matrimonial intentions. Poor Jane was certain to encounter difficulty enough with her new sisters. “I think it very likely that any opposition on their part is in no way on account of yourself, but rather due to a wish of avoiding the connection with our family – particularly given the circumstances surrounding Lydia. They are almost certainly unaware of Lydia's removal from a situation in which she might very likely have created a far greater scandal than heretofore. You must agree that their desire to avoid the connection is not entirely unreasonable.”

“Yes, I agree it is not; and I hope that you are correct in attributing their apparent disfavour of our betrothal to ignorance concerning Lydia – and that they have now been made aware of the change in our sister's circumstances – for I do so wish to be on good terms with Caroline and Louisa.”

“I feel sure that Mr Bingley will have informed his sisters of the alteration of Lydia's situation at the earliest occasion. Caroline, however, is unlikely to ever forgive you for taking the place of Georgiana Darcy in her grand matrimonial scheme.”

“You are referring to Caroline's hopes of marrying Mr Darcy – and her belief that if her brother were to marry Miss Darcy, it would improve the chances of her realising her own ambitions?”

“Precisely. Her brother's choice of you, rather than Miss Darcy, is a setback to her ambitions, certainly; but it will in no way, I believe, put an end to them. Miss Bingley is most determined to have him; which is another reason why I am confident that she will accord you every civility that is your due, and strive diligently to undo the harm of the haughty manner in which she cut you in London, and hid from her brother your being in town.”

“I imagine she did it all to further her plans to have Bingley marry Miss Darcy; rather than out of any disapprobation of myself. Perhaps I should not blame her for wishing to advance her own ambitions.”

Elizabeth smiled. “How fortunate Miss Bingley is – you are making excuses for her already! Her task of ingratiating herself to you, after her abominable behaviour, will be easy, indeed.”

“I am not as certain as you, Lizzy, that Miss Bingley will wish to be my friend – or very easily forgive her brother for choosing me. Nevertheless, I am determined to treat both his sisters with the utmost civility and kindness; although we can never again be intimates, as once we were.”

“I am quite certain that Miss Bingley will do everything in her power to make herself agreeable to you, and to her brother, also,” Elizabeth assured her. “For it is on account of her brother that she is very often in Mr Darcy's company – whether it be dinners and other social occasions in London, or invitations to Pemberley. I think you will find that she will do everything in her power to retain her place in her brother's society.”

“And do you think she will likewise feign affection for her new-found cousin, Captain Radford?”

Elizabeth laughed. “On the contrary, I suspect she will do her very best to set her brother against him, and have him depart from Netherfield – and their lives – as soon as may be.”